“Many of these young people have missed important life milestones and celebrations — like the high school prom,” said Jim White, Executive Director of Covenant House New Jersey, which includes facilities in Atlantic City and Newark, where the prom will be held. “We’re excited to be working with Take the Cake to provide the Covenant House kids with this right of passage.”

Take the Cake is a non-profit organization based in Maplewood-South Orange, N.J., that provides fun, special, customized parties for families who could not otherwise celebrate their children’s birthdays. Take The Cake, founded by Laura Himmelein and Janine Territo, has celebrated birthdays for boys and girls in foster care, some who have never had a birthday party before, kids who have experienced tragic loss, and kids who have been homeless.

“Many of us take for granted experiencing the pure joy of a childhood party,” said Territo. “We try to bring that joy to Essex County area young people in challenging situations who are most in need of a good time. And that’s why we’re so excited for this opportunity to throw a prom for the Covenant House kids.”

Take The Cake is seeking funding and donations of goods and services to make this a special night to remember for these deserving kids. In addition to donations, services needed most are professional floral and balloon arrangements, party supplies (linens, glasses, china and flatware), tuxedos, prom dresses, shoes, accessories, custom printers, hair stylists, make-up artists and photographers.

In 1989, Covenant House began its work in New Jersey by providing basic services to homeless youth on the streets of Newark and Atlantic City. Over the past 25 years, Covenant House New Jersey has grown by creating more services and enhancing the quality of those services. The focus is always on meeting the needs of New Jersey homeless youth — needs that never stop growing.

Most nights Covenant House New Jersey gives 132 homeless adolescents and 19 of their babies throughout the state a safe and caring place to live in North and South Jersey. Another dozen also may be found nightly by our outreach teams on the street or walk through the doors of our Crisis Centers for the first time.

More information about Covenant House can be found at www.covenanthouse.org.

About Take The Cake

Take The Cake is a program located in Maplewood-South Orange, New Jersey and serving Essex and Union counties. Take the Cake, a proud part of Rent Party Pantries (501c3), is committed to the idea that every child deserves a special birthday party.

Many families in North Jersey – due to economic strain or family crisis – are unable to host momentous birthday parties for their children or celebrate the other important milestones in their lives.

Take The Cake is here to provide fun, special and customized parties to families who couldn’t otherwise celebrate their children’s birthdays.